A woman and her three children were found hanged in their Sohrab Goth home on Sunday, Pakistani officials said.

Area police said the woman, who is an Afghan, was reportedly emotionally disturbed and it appeared that she killed her three-year-old daughter, two-year-old son and 10-year-old stepdaughter and took her own life over some "domestic" issues.

The four bodies were found hanging inside the home in Machhar Colony and the deceased were identified as Fatima Najeeb, 35, Sonam, 10, Arzo, 3, and Arman, 2.

East SSP Zubair Nazir Shaikh told that Najeeb Ullah, who originally hails from Punjab, told the police that he worked at the New Subzi Mandi and had left for work at around 4am on Sunday. When he returned several hours later, he saw his wife and three children dead.

Fatima was the second wife of Najeeb who had one daughter, Sonam, from his first wife, the police said.

Police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed that the police brought the bodies for post-mortem examination at the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

"We have collected all samples for chemical analysis," she said, adding that the cause of death has been reserved till reports.

The SSP said no sign of a quarrel was found at the place of the incident. Similarly, neighbours also told the police that they did not hear any sound of a quarrel.

"We are waiting for the post-mortem findings of doctors, as it would be premature at this stage to reach any final conclusion," the officer said.

The Pakistani DSP, said the woman was reportedly emotionally disturbed and allegedly used to beat the children. Her husband sometimes, in fits of anger, used to threaten her that he would marry another woman if she did not stop beating the children, the officer added.

He said during questioning Najeeb told the police that when he returned from his job and knocked at the door, he did not receive any response. Consequently, he climbed the wall and saw their bodies hanging inside the room.

Lanjar orders inquiry

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar took notice of the incident and contacted the East SSP to seek information about the recovery of the bodies of a woman and three children.

He asked the SSP to carry out an immediate, impartial and transparent investigation.

During the initial probe, the tragic incident was being described as "suicide", as per the minister`s statement while quoting the East SSP. However, the statement also said that evidence was being collected to reach a final conclusion.

The incident was being thoroughly assessed from all aspects, the SSP informed the minister, adding that the real facts would be brought to light after the post-mortem examination, forensic report and other evidence.